1500 - A Portuguese fleet of caravels, led by Pedro Álvares
Cabral, arrive in Brazil, on April 22. They land in Porto Seguro, on the coast
of Bahia. The land was named Island of Vera Cruz.

1549 - City of Salvador,
Bahia, is founded, by Thomé de Souza, as the first capital of the country.

1694 - A gold rush starts in Minas Gerais. It would last for about a
century.

1763 - The capital of Brasil is transferred from Salvador
to Rio de Janeiro.

1808 - King Dom João VI and his court move to Brazil, because
of the Napoleonic invasion of Portugal. They arrive in Salvador, in January,
where the opening of Brazilian ports to friendly nations is decreed. Later, in
March, they arrive in Rio de Janeiro.